What are the Foods That Cause Constipation in Babies?

What are the Foods That Cause Constipation in Babies?

To know if your baby’s digestive system is working well, you have to observe his/her pooping pattern. Some newborns may not poop for about 3 to 4 days. While this is normal, when babies above 6 months old face difficulties pooping, this may be due to constipation as at about 6 months of age, babies start eating solid foods. Read on to know more about the foods causing constipation in babies.

To know if your baby’s digestive system is working well, you have to observe his/her pooping pattern. Some newborns may not poop for about 3 to 4 days. While this is normal, when babies above 6 months old face difficulties pooping, this may be due to constipation as at about 6 months of age, babies start eating solid foods. Read on to know more about the foods causing constipation in babies.

List of Foods Causing Constipation in Babies

The common foods causing constipation in babies are:

• Milk Protein –

Most babies are allergic to the milk protein found in formula milk and breastmilk. Hence, you should be careful when giving them such dairy-based proteins.

• Formula Foods –

These foods are made of complex proteins and other difficult-to-digest ingredients. Hence, it is better to avoid giving them to babies.

• Rice –

Some babies may find it difficult to pass stools when introduced to rice and rice-based foods. However, if rice is cooked and mashed well, their tummies get used to this food in a few days or weeks.

• Raw Bananas –

Fed as a porridge or mashed vegetable, raw bananas may be difficult to digest for babies, as it is unripe.

• Carrots –

Steamed carrots may harden the stools of babies. However, this problem doesn’t occur when you feed them raw carrots or carrot juice.

• Cheese –

Although cheese is packed with essential nutrients for babies, it has a low-fibre content. This can cause constipation and gastric issues in some babies.

• White Bread –

Since it is made from processed, all-purpose flour, white bread doesn’t have any nutrients vital for your baby and may cause constipation.

• Apples –

Steamed apples may cause constipation in some babies. Applesauce, too, is not recommended for babies, as it contains a stool-hardening component, pectin protein.

• Yoghurt –

Although yoghurt is rich in probiotics and improves the digestive health of babies, its binding properties on certain foods can make it difficult for babies to pass stools.

• Tubers –

Almost all tubers (except sweet potatoes) are low on fibre content. They are also packed with starch, which results in constipation in most babies.